[HiFlight]

I would not consider the D4 to be "lower tier". IMO, it is right up there among the best portables in terms of circuit design and SQ. (price notwithstanding)

 

[jc9394]

Anyone compared D4 to either Pico with DAC or iQube V2?

 

[eucariote]

jamato8, I see in your signature that you also have an iBasso D10 and a Predator. Once your D4 is burned in, could you please give your impressions/ranking of how it compares using USB input? (I'll soon be buying one of those, or a pico, to use with Grado SR225s). Cheers.

 

[superjohny]

eucariote, i am choosing btw a pico and D4 as well.

 

[Scott_Tarlow]

Sigh... I have to decide between this and a Zune pass for the year. I guess I could buy this... and maybe sell it for 20 bucks less once I am done with it (or I decide its better than the pico and sell the pico). Maybe I can get them to send me one for review, as I have owned 5 or 6 of the more popular portable amps. Always worth a try right?

 

[K3cT]

Pico is certainly the safer route because it sounds good and has a reputation here.

Nevertheless, though I am skeptical with this D4 due to my experience with the D10 (it isn't bad per se but the Pico is simply the better unit by quite a margin), I say don't let this stop you folks from getting it. Who knows that the D4 is better than the Pico after all?

 

[Scott_Tarlow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT /img/forum/go_quote.gif Pico is certainly the safer route because it sounds good and has a reputation here. Nevertheless, though I am skeptical with this D4 due to my experience with the D10 (it isn't bad per se but the Pico is simply the better unit by quite a margin), I say don't let this stop you folks from getting it. Who knows that the D4 is better than the Pico after all?

I had the same experience with the D10.

 

[GTL]

Interesting. Did u guys compare the pico to the d10 usb or optical input?

 

[K3cT]

USB input obviously. I'm going with my memories since I don't have the D10 with me now but tonally, the Pico sounded more effortless and organic to my ears. The D10 sounded a bit grainy and steely in the treble, the Pico has none of this.

 

[GreenLeo]

Very fair.

 

[jamato8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT /img/forum/go_quote.gif USB input obviously. I'm going with my memories since I don't have the D10 with me now but tonally, the Pico sounded more effortless and organic to my ears. The D10 sounded a bit grainy and steely in the treble, the Pico has none of this.

It all depends upon what op amps you used in the D10. I have not heard the Pico but having read some reviews it does appear that the USB section is slightly better but that the optical section of the D10 is a little better when compared to the Pico using the USB input. I myself still prefer optical if given a choice but the D4 has improved over anything else I have heard via USB.

On the D4 the changing of op amps can morph it into a number of different sounds and I have found the amp section to be very dynamic and in the high frequencies, very clean. I also find the fit and finish of the D4 to be excellent with even the volume control knob now being made to iBasso specifications.

 

[Scott_Tarlow]

Yes I used USB imput too. So I asked iBasso if I could review one, doubt they will let me try it though. I don't see why they would because they have many great people already willing to do it for them.

 

[V3ng3anc3]

Just got my D4 today! Took only 2 days to get to me from China. o_o

 

[HiFlight]

Using the appropriate Topkits in each, I find that the D10 has a little wider and deeper soundstage, but the D4 bass reaches deeper and is tighter. Overall, the D4 has more impact. It also drives my AKG K-340s to a higher volume level than does the D10. Most likely due to the higher supply voltage.

 

[skydro]

I'm deciding between this amp and Amp3 Pro(2) player for my Yuin PK1 buds. I would use D4 with my netbook, but it wouldn't be as convenient as Amp3. Do you think that D4 will be much better for PK1-s than Amp3 Pro? So far I haven't gotten decent sound out of my PK1-s unamped.